Our friends south of the border may find this hard to believe and hard to swallow if their real estate situation has not yet seen an upswing in sales. But apparently the Toronto market is HOT, as some of my Realtor colleagues will agree. This story appeared on the front page of The Toronto Star today.
http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/677111
I still find it incredible that this type of home (small old semi-detached) can sell for so much. I would rather pay the same amount or less for a waterfront property out of the city.
I thought this might be of interest to homeowners already committed to renovation projects and hoping for a tax credit next year. Apparently this program has not yet been passed into law, although the experts say it will likely happen. Let's hope all goes as planned.
This article appeared on the CTV news website:
Well summer has officially arrived and in the GTA it's been very HOT. I'm not complaining ... this warm weather was long overdue and much anticipated. But no matter what the conditions, you can always hear someone commenting on the weather.
When selling your home at this time of year, you want to ensure that the inside temperature is comfortable. Not too frosty please ! Most people will be dressed for the heat and will simply shiver indoors, causing them not to linger.
Many people keep the blinds down and draperies drawn in an attempt to keep out the heat. However, when showing your home to potential buyers, this tactic will make the home feel dark, drab and dingy. Let the sun shine in to brighten each room.
If you have a woodburning fireplace, disguise the unused opening with a decorative screen or large plant so buyers aren't staring into a gaping, soot-filled hole.
We hope that all seasonal decor has been put away by this time - don't forget those holiday cushions and the fuzzy red throw. Summerize your decor with crisp linen and fresh flowers. Swap the dusty pinecones for shells or rocks.
Want to create that beach house feel in your home? READ more tips HERE
A home owner painting his garage doors. Big deal, you say? Ahhh, but you should see the crazy colors on this particular street. Thankfully, he had chosen a beautiful blue / gray shade that complemented the brick tone perfectly. Could he have had professional help? I'm not sure but was glad to see a normal color among the lime green and sunshine yellow and yes ... even hot pink ... of the neighboring homes.
When choosing a color for garage doors, people should look to the "Heritage" pallett or "Traditional" tones rather than buying what was on sale or left over from the baby's room.
Anyway, this has long been a pet peeve of mine. So now I got it off my chest ... and it made me smile to see that someone had some common sense.
Here's a new (new to me, anyway) company in town for junk disposal options - http://uboxit.com/index.php
They are based in Concord ON, but appear to have franchises throughout North America. I see this as a good alternative to the big ol' dumpster that often times is just too big for those "cleaning house" projects prior to staging / moving.
If anyone has used the service, please let me know how it worked out.
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ReDesign & Staging services in Mississauga, Brampton and surrounding areas with affiliates across the GTA * CRDA Program Instructor
"we make EVERYONE feel at home"
Don't you deserve to kick back and love the space you're in?
Sandi Gerrard is the owner of "FEEL AT HOME"
She is a Certified ReDesign & Staging Specialist, Certified Colour Consultant, CRDA Program Instructor, and Past President of the Canadian ReDesigners Association.
Sandi Gerrard's articles have been featured in the Brampton Guardian newspaper, and she has been published in the Burlington Post's ON Site magazine and on Toronto.com.
Sandi and one of her CRDA colleagues were quoted in an article in the Globe and Mail Real Estate Section, entitled "Tricks to make small spaces seem bigger", on August 22, 2008.
Sandi was nominated as "Community Star of the Week" for her efforts on behalf of Ovarian Cancer Canada (formerly known as the National Ovarian Cancer Association), in The Brampton News, October 12, 2006.
Sandi appeared on Rogers Cable 10 "Daytime" with Daru Dhillon on December 6, 2006 to promote the Havens for Healing project.
Sandi has been a frequent contributor to the Brampton Guardian Showcase section, featuring home decor and real estate staging articles.
Sandi's article on "ReDesign saves time & money" appeared on TheBramptonNews.com "Home Sense" section on November 7, 2006.
Sandi's article on "Downsizing for Seniors" was featured in the Brampton Guardian Showcase section on May 10, 2006.
Click HERE to read my other BLOG
ReDesign can give you a fresh new look in just one day. You already have what it takes to instill a sense of pride in your home. Let us help you show it off in a beautiful and functional way. The art of redesign is guided by the elements of space planning, colour, balance and harmony to create interior spaces that truly invite you home.
Staging can give you that much needed competitive edge in a tough market. Let us stage your home for sale. We'll clear the clutter, and focus on the architectural selling features. A professional home stager can help you increase the value of your home and sell quickly for top dollar.
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Training - 5 Day Course
This intensive hands-on program in ReDesign & Home Staging will provide you with the information and skills needed to start your own business. You will experience 3 days of actual redesign work in real client's homes, giving you the chance to apply what you learn as you go. We will cover, step by step, the entire redesign process including consultation and follow up. One full day will be dedicated to redesign theory and home staging principles. Another full day of practical advice on business start-up, sales & marketing, networking and self promotion will give you the confidence to go forward.
Upon successful completion you will become a Certified ReDesign & Staging Specialist (CRSS) and a full member of the Canadian ReDesigners Association (CRDA).
Class size is limited to 6 participants.
"When I came home, opened the front door and saw the transformation of our living room/dining room, I said WOW!!!! And then I just stood there taking it all in. Not only did it look great, it exuded calmness and my husband said "Now I can breathe!" I was amazed at how well our furniture worked with the pieces I brought back from Sweden after my mother's passing. I am now eager to entertain again!"
"I can't tell you enough how absolutely thrilled I am with my new space. I love the basement with my two leather pieces down there. I can actually see myself spending time down there, now that it's so inviting and comfortable. It looks amazing! I can't believe what you and your team did with my living room and dining room. Throughout the past few years my best friend and I have rearranged my furniture on numerous occasions and we both take pride in our decorating savvy. I have to tell you, we would never have come up with the ideas you did for placement of my furniture, lights, pictures etc. It feels so much lighter and I actually feel like I've gained square footage. You've made my living space look larger, I never thought that could be accomplished!"
"Thank you so much for the beautiful transformation on my living room / dining room. I can't believe the difference. It was so overbearing and crowded and you managed to open up the space and make it inviting. I wouldn't even sit in my living room because it felt so closed in. Now we are all enjoying the new set up. Thank you again. Great job - every detail!"
"I am LOVING my newly redesigned home! That is exactly what it feels like now - HOME!"
"Words cannot explain the feeling we had when we saw our home. We were absolutely amazed by the work that was done. Our house was transformed into a warm and welcoming HOME! We want to thank you for the excellent work you did. You really touched on all the aspects that were important to us as a new couple and put pieces of our individual lives together so that they made sense. We now love our HOME! Thank you."
"Thank you for the great work you did preparing my listing for the market. What a difference a few hours can make. I was truly impressed!"
"My listing sold within 24 hours, thanks to Sandi's consultation and suggestions - which the home owner followed to the letter."
"Sandi worked with us to reduce the clutter and redefine the rooms prior to listing our home for sale. Implementing the suggested changes brought a sophisticated look to some dated décor. Our house sold in just 3 days !"
"What a pleasure it was working with you. Your professional touches and recommendations for the re-placement of furniture and de-cluttering make a significant impact in the rooms, which makes them more attractive to the buyers."
"Thank you so much for all your terrific suggestions to prepare our home for sale. What a difference these changes have made. We will highly recommend you to anyone that is planning on selling."
"Sandi's redesign service and helpful suggestions gave my living room the finishing touch that it lacked."
"When we recently sold our family home and moved into a smaller space, Sandi Gerrard not only did an inspired job of staging our house for sale, but she also gave us invaluable design advice for our new place, including which furniture to take, how to arrange it and tips on colour and soft furnishings. In addition, she and Andraya found the perfect places to hang our favourite art work. As a result of all their help, our new place looks fabulous and already feels like home!"
"I can't believe the changes you made. My house looks so beautiful - I wish I didn't have to sell at all."
"I can't tell you how grateful I am for the redesign you did on our family room. You managed to take a room that I literally was too embarrassed about to walk through (let alone sit in) and make it welcoming and spacious. All this while using what I already had in the room and elsewhere in my home. Fantastic work!"
"It was a welcome surprise coming home to see what Sandi had done in our family room. We had struggled with the layout of that room for many years, and in 2 hours with her keen sense of style she created a more open and inviting space."
"What a nice change. My room looks more spacious. I just can't believe it."
"We were so pleased with the results of the redesign. Our living room was much more inviting - ready for entertaining; and our dining room seemed brighter and more spacious. Even the children noticed the difference!"
"Sandi and her creative team made my dining room and living room much more inviting and attractive. Before they transformed both rooms, I had planned to buy some new furniture, but now the rooms 'work' with older pieces that were either rearranged or 'rediscovered' in
other parts of the house. They found hidden gems within my home and brought a fresh, artistic perspective to the space."
"I just knew something needed to be done to the brick fireplace in our family room. It looked very dated and the dull brown brick made the room seem dark and uninviting. Sandi painted all brickwork a cream colour to match the walls and then Andraya set to work giving the cement hearth and mantel a warm faux marble finish. This fireplace is now the focal point of our room, as it was meant to be. My friends and neighbours were awed by the dramatic results."
"All I can say is WOW. I was very impressed with what you did. I loved the arrangement of the sitting room. When I finally was able to relax a bit, I noticed that the room felt very comfortable."
"I was overwhelmed with excitement and emotion. The second I walked into my house it felt like HOME for the first time. You worked some magic in my place. Thank you all very much for the special care you took in transforming my house into my functional and flowing home."
"The mural looks wonderful !! Meggy loves her tree. She plays knock-knock on the little door and has imaginary picnics with her bears on the 'grass'."
Thank you so much for the beautiful transformation on my living room / dining room. I can't believe the difference. It was so overbearing and crowded and you managed to open up the space and make it inviting. I wouldn't even sit in my living room because it felt so closed in. Now we are all enjoying the new set up. Thank you again. Great job - every detail!
"I can't tell you enough how absolutely thrilled I am with my new space. I love the basement with my two leather pieces down there. I can actually see myself spending time down there, now that it's so inviting and comfortable."
"It looks amazing! I can't believe what you and your team did with my living room and dining room. Throughout the past few years my best friend and I have rearranged my furniture on numerous occasions and we both take pride in our decorating savvy. I have to tell you, we would never have come up with the ideas you did for placement of my furniture, lights, pictures etc. It feels so much lighter and I actually feel like I've gained square footage. You've made my living space look larger, I never thought that could be accomplished! Thank you again Sandi, it was great to meet you and I will definitely be recommending you to anyone I know that's thinking they'd like a redesign of their home."
...ladybug ladybug fly away HOME
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